Pasty spot-treating compositions for use on textiles

ABSTRACT

A pasty spot-treating composition comprising (a) from 2 percent to 10 percent by weight of a primary alcohol mixture containing at least 70 percent of straight-chain C16 to C18 alcohols, ethoxylated with from 8 to 20 mols. of ethylene oxide, (b) from 0.5 percent to 5 percent by weight of a primary alcohol mixture containing at least 70 percent of straight-chain, saturated C12 to C14 fatty alcohols, ethoxylated with from 1 to 5 mols. of ethylene oxide, (c) from 15 to 30 percent by weight of an alcohol mixture of alcohols having 10 to 18 carbon atoms, containing at least 50 percent by weight of straight-chain alkanols, ethoxylated with from 1 to 4 mols. of ethylene oxide and sulfated, in the form of a salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium salts, (d) from 0.3 percent to 5 percent by weight of a hydrotropic compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium benzenesulfonates, alkali metal and ammonium toluenesulfonates and alkali metal and ammonium xylenesulfonates, and (e) at least 50 percent by weight of an aqueous solution media. The spottreating compositions have a practically constant viscosity, are easily rubbed on textiles and have foam-suppressing properties.

United States Patent 3,6l9,ll9

[72] lnventors of Germany [21] Applv No. 783.097 [22] Filed Dec.1l,l968

[45] Patented [73] Assignee Nov. 9. 1971 Henkel 8; Cie G.m.b.H. Duesseldort-l-lolthausen, Germany {32] Priority D66. 28,1967 1 1 Germany [31] P16171390 [54] PASTY SPOT-TREATING COMPOSITIONS FOR [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,806,001 9/1957 Fong et al. 252/138 2.877.185 3/1959 Krumrei eta1.... 252/138 2.954.347 9/1960 St. John etal. 252/321 3.156.655 11/1964 Bright 252/89 3,417,023 12/1968 DiSalvo 3.419.500 12/1968 Rytteretal. .1

OTHER REFERENCES Matson. Syndets with Alcohol Derivatives. Soap & Chem. Spec. Nov. 1963. pages 1-8 Primary Examimr- Leon Dr Rosdol Axxisluul l: .\amim'r-William E. Schulz .4imrne \'Hammond & Littell ABSTRACT: A pasty spot-treating composition comprising (a) from 2 percent to 10 percent by weight of a primary alcohol mixture containing at least 70 percent of straight-chain C to C, alcohols. ethoxylated with from 8 to 20 mols. of ethylene oxide. (1)) from 0.5 percent to 5 percent by weight of a primary alcohol mixture containing at least 70 percent of straight-chain. saturated C to C fatty alcohols. ethoxylated with from 1 to 5 mols. of ethylene oxide. (c) from 15 to 30 percent by weight of an alcohol mixture ofalcohols having 10 to 18 carbon atoms. containing at least 50 percent by weight of straight-chain alkanols. ethoxylated with from 1 to 4 mols of ethylene oxide and sulfated. in the form 01a salt selected from the group consisting ofalkali metal and ammonium salts. (d) from 0.3 percent to 5 percent by weight ofa hydrotropie compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium benzenesulfonates. alkali metal and ammonium toluenesulfonates and alkali metal and ammonium xylenesulfonates, and (e) at least 50 percent by weight of an aqueous solution media. The spot-treating compositions have a practically constant viscosity. are easily rubbed on textiles and have foam-suppressing properties.

PASTY SPOT-TREATING COMPOSITIONS FOR USE ON TEXTILES THE PRIOR ART It is a known fact that at washing temperatures in the range of 30 to 60 C., as are prescribed for textiles made of synthetic fibers, silks, wool, or cottons finished with synthetic resins as well as textiles from mixed cotton and synthetic fibers, fat-rich soils can be removed only very unsatisfactorily by means of the common washing treatment. This applies in particular to dirty edges on collars or cuffs on men's shirts. blouses, smocks and the like made from the above fibers. Even with washable materials which can be washed at high temperatures, the tenacious soils cannot always be removed entirely in a single washing. Therefore, it has been recommended to rub the textiles in the places where the strongly soiled areas are, prior to the washing, with a past which is prepared from a powdery detergent with the addition of water, or with special pasty washing aids which in most cases consist of water-containing mixtures of anionic and nonionic washing starting materials. However, the first-mentioned process does not bring about the desired results, since a considerable part of the wash-active substances do not or only partially dissolve in the comparatively small amount of water used in order to make a paste. Although the recently offered liquid or pasty spotrcmoving materials have a considerably greater effectiveness, they have the disadvantage that their viscosities are strongly dependent on temperature. Thus up to the present time it was unavoidable that pastes which are pliable and preparations which are liquid at room temperature become so viscous at temperatures below l C. that they can no longer be poured out of the storage bottles or pressed out oftheir tubes. On the other hand such pastes become liquid at temperatures above 25 to 30 C. so that they run out of an open tub easily when it is in a horizontal position.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Thus an object of the invention is the preparation ofa spottreating composition which distinguishes itself by a high cleaning power as well as by viscosity behavior substantially independent of the temperature.

Another object of the present invention is the obtention ofa pasty spot-treating composition comprising (a) from 2 to percent by weight of a primary alcohol mixture containing at least 70 percent of straight-chain C to C alcohols, ethoxylated with from 8 to mols of ethylene oxide, (b) from 0.5 to 5 percent by weight ofa primary alcohol mixture containing at least 70 percent of straight-chain, saturated C to C fatty alcohols, ethoxylated with from 1 to 5 mols of ethylene oxide, (c) from 15 to percent by weight of an alcohol mixture of alcohols having 10 to 18 carbon atoms, containing at least 50 percent by weight of straight-chain alkanols, ethoxylated with from I to 4 mols of ethylene oxide and sulfated, in the form of a salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium salts, (d) from 0.3 to 5 percent by weight of a hydrotropic compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium benzenesulfonates, alkali metal and ammonium toluenesulfonates and alkali metal and ammonium xylenesulfonates, and (e) at least 50 percent by weight ofan aqueous solution media.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It has now been discovered that the above objects can be achieved in the preparation of a pasty spot-treating composition of the following composition:

a. from 2 to 10 percent, preferably from 3 to 7 percent, by

weight of a polyoxyethyleneglycol monoether of a primary alcohol mixture containing at least 70 percent of saturated and/or unsaturated straight-chain C to C, alcohols. said polyoxyethyleneglycol monoether containing from 8 to 20. preferably from 10 to 15 ethylene oxide units;

b. from 0.5 to 5 percent, preferably from 1 to 3 percent by weight of a polyoxyethyleneglycol monoether of a primary alcohol mixture containing at least 70 percent of saturated straight-chain C to C alcohols, said polyoxyethyleneglycol monoether containing from I to 5, preferably from 2 to 5 ethylene oxide units;

c. from 15 percent to 30 percent, preferably from 18 to 25 percent by weight of an alkali metal or ammonium salt of a sulfated, polyoxyethyleneglycol monoether of an alcohol mixture containing eight to 18 carbon atoms, and at least 50 percent by weight of saturated, straight-chain C to C alcohols, said sulfated polyoxyethylene-monoether containing from I to 4 ethylene oxide units;

d. from 0.3 to 5 percent, preferably from 0.5 to 2 percent by weight of a hydrotropic compound of the class of alkali metal and ammonium benzenesulfonates, alkali metal and ammonium toluenesulfonates and alkali metal and ammonium xylenesulfonates; and

e. at least 50 percent by weight of an aqueous solution media, preferably water with or without water-miscible organic solvents.

In addition the pasty spot-treating composition of the invention may, if desired, contain from 0.5 to 10 percent by weight of a foam inhibitor, particularly from 1 to 5 percent of saturated C to C fatty acids or their alkali metal salts. With this addition, the foaming properties of the spot-treating composition are suppressed and the textiles which are treated with the spot-treating composition (by rubbing the pasty spot-treating composition on the soiled areas of the textiles) can be subsequently washed in closed-drum washing machines without foaming over the wash liquor. The addition of the foam inhibitor to the pasty spot-treating composition does not affect its viscosity characteristics.

Further advantageously, the spot-treating compositions of the invention may contain additional oligomeric or polymeric polyoxyethyleneglycols, for example, dior trioxyethyleneglycol, and particularly polyoxyethyleneglycols with a molecular weight of 2,000 to 20,000. The polyoxyethyleneglycols may be present in amounts of from 0.l to 5 percent, preferably 0.5 to 3 percent by weight. The addition of the polyoxyethyleneglycols to the pasty spot-treating composition improves its viscosity characteristics.

Moreover, the spot-treating materials of the invention may contain neutral salts, particularly neutral alkali metal salts of strong inorganic acids, such as sodium chloride and sodium sulfate, in amounts of between 0.l to 5 percent by weight. By means of the addition of these neutral salts, the viscosity of the spot-treating materials can be varied within certain limits.

As the aqueous solution media for the components mentioned above, water is preferred, which may be present in amounts of between 50 and 75 percent by weight. In addition, organic, water-miscible solvents, preferably lower alkanols, such as methanol, ethanol or isopropanol may also be present in the mixture in small amounts, whereby the viscosity of the pasty spot-treating materials can be varied within certain limits as well. In general, however, such solvent additives are not required.

The polyoxyethyleneglycol monoethers or ethylene oxide condensates of component (a) are derived by condensing from 8 to 20 mols, preferably from 10 to [5 mols of ethylene oxide with primary alcohols containing at least 70 percent of saturated and/or unsaturated straight-chain C to C ,t alcohols. These primary alcohols may be obtained in known ways, either by hydrogenation of naturally occurring fatty acids such as tallow fatty acids, cottonseed oil fatty acids, soybean oil fatty acids, palm oil fatty acids, rapeseed oil fatty acids, etc. or synthetically, for example, through polymerization of ethylene and subsequent hydration of a terminal double bond. The primary alcohols utilized are preferably alkanols having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, alkenols having 12 to 22 carbon atoms and alkadienols having 12 to 22 carbon atoms wherein at least 70 percent of the alcohol mixture is primary straight-chain alcohols having from 16 to 18 carbon atoms. The amount of alcohol radicals with 12 to 14 or 20 to 22 carbon atoms in these compounds may amount to up to 30 percent. The named polyoxyethyleneglycol monoethers are water soluble and have a cloud point of more than 30 C.

The polyoxyethyleneglycol monoethers have the formula wherein R represents primary straight-chain substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyls having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, alkenyls having 12 to 22 carbon atoms and alkadienyls having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, at least 70 percent of said primary substituents having 16 to 18 carbon atoms and m represents an integer from eight to 20.

The polyoxyethyleneglycol monoethers or ethylene oxide condensates of component (b) are derived by condensing from 1 to mols, preferably from 2 to 5 mols of ethylene oxide with primary alcohols containing at least 70 percent of saturated, straight-chain C,- to C alcohols. These primary alcohols are obtainable in known ways such as by reduction of fatty acids such as coconut or palm kernel fatty acids or through polymerization of ethylene and subsequent hydration of a terminal double bond. The primary alcohols utilized are preferably straight-chain alkanols having eight to 18 carbon atoms wherein at least 70 percent of the alcohol mixture is primary, straight-chain, saturated alcohols having from 12 to 14 carbon atoms. in these compounds the portion of alkyl radicals with eight to or 16 to 18 carbon atoms can amount to 30 percent. The named polyoxyethyleneglycol monoethers are difficulty soluble in water.

The polyoxyethyleneglycol monoethers have the formula wherein R represents primary, straight-chain alkyls having eight to 18 carbon atoms, at least 70 percent of said alkyl having 12 to 14 carbon atoms and n represents an integer from 1 to 5.

The sulfated polyoxyethyleneglycol monoethers or sulfated ethylene oxide condensates of component (c) are derived by condensing from 1 to 4 mols of ethylene oxide with an alcohol mixture containing eight to 18 carbon atoms, and at least 50 percent by weight of saturated, straight-chain C to C alcohols, and sulfating the terminal hydroxyl group of the glycol monoether. The alcohols utilized may be obtained in known ways, such as by reduction of fatty acids such as coconut or palm kernel fatty acids or synthetically. The alcohols utilized are preferably primary, straight-chain alkanols having eight to 18 carbon atoms wherein at least 50 percent of the alcohol mixture is alkanols having 12 to 14 carbon atoms.

Alkyl radicals with eight to 10 as well as 16 to 18 carbon atoms may be present in smaller amounts as well. The sulfates can be in the form of their sodium, potassium or ammonium salts where the term ammonium salts include as well the salts of the mono-, diand triethanolamines, of morpholines or of other primary secondary or tert. amines with lower alkyl chains. in other words, the sulfuric acid esters of the glycol monoethers may be in the form of their salts with alkali metals, ammonia, ethanolamines, morpholine and lower-a]- kylamines.

The salts of the sulfuric acid esters of the glycol monoethers have the formula wherein R. represents primary, straight-chain alkyls having eight to 18 carbon atoms, at least 50 percent of said alkyls having 12 to 14 carbon atoms, 2 represents an integer from 1 to 4 and Me represents a member selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, ammonium, ethanolammonium. morpholinium and lower-alkylammonium.

The hydrotropic compounds of component (d) are available as well in the form of sodium. potassium or ammonium salts, where the ammonium salts are salts of alkylamines or alkylolamines according to the above definition as well.

The preparation of the substances of theinvention is carried out by means of simple admixing or melting together of the individual components.

The spot-treating materials of the invention distinguish themselves by a high cleaning effect, particularly toward persistent fat and oil containing soils. They react neutrally. have a fiber protecting effect and consequently are suitable for sensitive textiles. The products containing behenic acid or other higher fatty acids possess foam inhibiting properties and from that follows that textiles which were treated therewith can be washed in closed-drum washing machines with common, slightly or moderately foaming detergents, without risking a foaming over of the washing liquor. It must be underlined that these spot-treating materials have an almost steady viscosity within the temperature range of 0 and 30. Therefore, even after longer storage periods at relatively high or low temperatures, the spot-treating materials can be removed from their containers and applied to the textiles much easier.

The following examples are illustrative of the invention. However, they are not to be deemed limitative in any respect.

EXAMPLE 1 A mixture of the following composition was prepared by admixing at approximately C. The amount of the ingredients is in percent by weight.

6% Ethoxylated tallow alcohol 10.5 ethylene oxide units) 2% Ethoxylated coconut alcohol (3.0 ethylene oxide units) 25% Ethoxylated and sulfated coconut alcohol (2 ethylene oxide units, Na salt) 1.5% Na xylenesulfonate 1% Polyoxyethyleneglycol (molar weight 8,000)

2.5% Na behenate 2% NaCl Remainderwater, perfume The paste was filled into tubes and stored at temperatures of 5, 10, 20 and 30 C. All samples exhibited a practically identical consistency and could easily be pressed out of the tubes on to the soiled textiles where they could be rubbed on easily. When being post-washed in a closed-drum washing machine with a common foam-inhibiting coarse detergent, no excessive foaming occurred. The fat and pigment soils had completely disappeared from the treated areas after washing.

EXAMPLE 2 A cleaning paste of the following composition was prepared by melting the ingredients together at approximately 80 C. The amount of the ingredients is in percent by weight.

5% Ethoxylated tallow alcohol 12 ethylene oxide units) 2% Ethoxylated coconut alcohol (2 ethylene oxide units) 22% Ethoxylated and sulfated coconut alcohol (2 ethylene oxide units, Na salt) 1.1% Na toluenesulfonate 1% Polyethyleneglycol (molar weight 10,000)

3.2% Na behenate 1.3% NaCl 1% Sodium sulfate Remainder-water The spot-treating material can as well be admixed with a preservation agent, for example, sodium benzoate in amounts of from 0.05 to 0.2 percent, as well as a perfume.

The viscosity behavior with reference to the temperature was determined by means of a rotation viscometer. The following values were obtained.

0 C. Viscosity in cp.

The preceding specific embodiments are illustrative of the practice of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that other expedients known to those skilled in the art may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A pasty spot-treating composition having a substantially steady viscosity within the temperature range of to 40 C. consisting essentially of (a) from 2 to 10 percent by weight of a primary alcohol mixture containing at least 70 percent of straight-chain C to C, alcohols, ethoxylated with from 8 to 20 mols of ethylene oxide, (b) from 0.5 to percent by weight of a primary alcohol mixture containing at least 70 percent of straight-chain, saturated C to C fatty alcohols, ethoxylated with from I to 5 mols of ethylene oxide, (0) from [5 to 30 percent by weight of an alcohol mixture of alcohols having to l8 carbon atoms, containing at least 50 percent by weight of straight-chain alkanols, ethoxylated with from 1 to 4 mols of ethylene oxide and sulfated, in the form of a salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium salts, (d) from 0.3 to 5 percent by weight of a hydrotropic compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium benzenesulfonates, alkali metal and ammonium toluenesulfonates and alkali metal and ammonium xylenesulfonates, (e) from 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of a polyoxyethyleneglycol having a molecular weight between 2,000 and 20,000, and (f) at least 50 percent by weight of an aqueous solution media.

2. The spot-treating composition as defined in claim 1 wherein component (a) is present in an amount of from 3 to 7 percent by weight, component (b) is present in an amount of from I to 3 percent by weight, component (c) is present in an amount of from 18 to 25 percent by weight, component (d) is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 2 percent by weight and component (e) is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 3 percent by weight and component (f) is water and is present in an amount offrom 63 to 75 percent by weight.

3. The spot-treating composition, as defined in any one of claims I and 2, containing as an additional component, from 0.5 to 10 percent by weight of a foam inhibitor selected from the group consisting of saturated fatty acids having 20 to 22 carbon atoms and alkali metal salts thereof.

4. The spot-treating composition, as defined in any one of claims 1 and 2 wherein said component (a) is a polyoxyethyleneglycol monoether of a primary alcohol mixture having from 10 to 15 ethylene oxide units in said glycol monoether moiety, said primary alcohol mixture being selected from the group consisting of alkanols having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, alkenols having 12 to 22 carbon atoms and alkadieneols having 12 to 22 carbon atoms wherein at least 70 percent of said alcohol mixture consists of alcohols having from 16 to 18 carbon atoms.

5. The spot-treating composition, as defined in any one of claim 1 and 2 wherein said component (b) is a polyoxyethyleneglycol monoether of a primary alcohol mixture having from 2 to 5 ethylene oxide units in said glycol monoether, said primary alcohol mixture being a mixture of straight-chain alkanols having eight to 18 carbon atoms wherein at least 70 percent of said alcohol mixture consists of alkanols having from 12 to 14 carbon atoms.

6. The spot-treating composition, as defined in any one of claims 1 and 2 wherein said component (c) is a salt of a sulfuric acid ester of a polyoxyethyleneglycol monoether of a primary, straight-chain alcohol mixture having from I to 4 ethylene oxide units in said glycol monoether and having a sulfate on the terminal hydroxyl group of the glycol monoether, said primary, straight-chain alcohol mixture being a mixture of alkanols having eight to 18 carbon atoms wherein at least 50 percent of said alcohol mixture consists of alkanols having 12 to 14 carbon atoms, sald salt being selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, ammonia, ethanolamines, morpholine and lower-alkylamines.

7. A method of cleaning textiles having concentrated soil spots which comprises rubbing the pasty soil-trcating composition, as defined in claim 1, in said concentrated soil spots, washing and rinsing said textiles. 

2. The spot-treating composition as defined in claim 1 wherein component (a) is present in an amount of from 3 to 7 percent by weight, component (b) is present in an amount of from 1 to 3 percent by weight, component (c) is present in an amount of from 18 to 25 percent by weight, component (d) is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 2 percent by weight and component (e) is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 3 percent by weight and component (f) is water and is present in an amount of from 63 to 75 percent by weight.
 3. The spot-treating composition, as defined in any one of claims 1 and 2, containing as an additional component, from 0.5 to 10 percent by weight of a foam inhibitor selected from the group consisting of saturated fatty acids having 20 to 22 carbon atoms and alkali metal salts thereof.
 4. The spot-treating composition, as defined in any one of claims 1 and 2 wherein said component (a) is a polyoxyethyleneglycol monoether of a primary alcohol mixture having from 10 to 15 ethylene oxide units in said glycol monoether moiety, said primary alcohol mixture being selected from the group consisting of alkanols having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, alkenols having 12 to 22 carbon atoms and alkadieneols having 12 to 22 carbon atoms wherein at least 70 percent of said alcohol mixture consists of alcohols having from 16 to 18 carbon atoms.
 5. The spot-treating composition, as defined in any one of claim 1 and 2 wherein said component (b) is a polyoxyethyleneglycol monoether of a primary alcohol mixture having from 2 to 5 ethylene oxide units in said glycol monoether, said primary alcohol mixture being a mixture of straight-chain alkanols having eight to 18 carbon atoms wherein at least 70 percent of said alcohol mixture consists of alkanols having from 12 to 14 carbon atoms.
 6. The spot-treating composition, as defined in any one of claims 1 and 2 wherein said component (c) is a salt of a sulfuric acid ester of a polyoxyethyleneglycol monoether of a primary, straight-chain alcohol mixture having from 1 to 4 ethylene oxide units in said glycol monoether and having a sulfate on the terminal hydroxyl group of the glycol monoether, said primary, straight-chain alcohol mixture being a mixture of alkanols having eight to 18 carbon atoms wherein at least 50 percent of said alcohol mixture consists of alkanols having 12 to 14 carbon atoms, said salt being selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, ammonia, ethanolamines, morpholine and lower-alkylamines.
 7. A method of cleaning textiles having concentrated soil spots which comprises rubbing the pasty soil-treating composition, as defined in claim 1, in said concentrated soil spots, washing and rinsing said textiles. 